A qualitative study exploring women's health behaviours after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes to inform the development of a diabetes prevention strategy

PurposeWomen who experience gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at exceptionally high-risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) later in life. However, limited information is available about genetic and environmental factors that are implicated in the progression from GDM to T2DM.ParticipantsThe Diabetes & Women’s Health (DWH) Study applied a hybrid design, which combined new prospective data collection with existing data in two prospective cohorts, the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) and the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS II). In total, the DWH Study identified 7759 women with a GDM diagnosis from both cohorts; 4457 women participated in the DWH Study data collection, which included two cycles of follow-up from 2012 to 2014 and 2014 to 2016.Findings to dateProgression from GDM to T2DM was high. In the NHS II group, by 2013, 23.1% (n=846/3667) developed T2DM. In the DNBC group, at cycle 1 (2012–2014), the progression rate was even higher: 27.2% (n=215/790) had developed T2DM. Furthermore, we have shown that women who had GDM experienced a significantly greater risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, as well as early stages of glomerular hyperfiltration and renal damage. Moreover, the DWH Study findings have shown that healthful diet and lifestyle factors and weight control were related to a lower risk of T2DM, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.Future plansPrimary data collection for the DWH Study is complete and investigators are currently investigating interactions of the abovementioned modifiable factors with T2DM genetic susceptibility in determining the risk of progression from GDM to T2DM. Findings from ongoing work will provide further insights for identifying more precise prevention strategies for T2DM and comorbidities in this high-risk population. Future work will examine novel biomarkers of health and disease in this cohort.

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‘What men don’t know can hurt women’s health’: a qualitative study of the barriers to and opportunities for men’s involvement in maternal healthcare in Ghana

Reproductive Health ◽

10.1186/s12978-015-0083-y ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

John Kuumuori Ganle ◽

Isaac Dery

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Women’S Health ◽

Women's Health ◽

Maternal Healthcare ◽

Men’S Involvement

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Does gestational diabetes affect women's health-related quality of life after delivery?

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology ◽

10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.09.025 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 148 (1) ◽

pp. 40-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Arja Halkoaho ◽

Marja Kavilo ◽

Anna-Maija Pietilä ◽

Hanna Huopio ◽

Harri Sintonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Women’S Health ◽

Women's Health ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

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Factors Affecting Women's Health-Related Behaviors and Safe Motherhood: A Qualitative Study From a Refugee Camp in Eastern Sudan

Health Care For Women International ◽

10.1080/07399330802269600 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 884-905 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Marie Furuta ◽

Rintaro Mori

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Women’S Health ◽

Women's Health ◽

Refugee Camp ◽

Safe Motherhood ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Health Related Behaviors ◽

Health Related ◽

Eastern Sudan

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Do women who consult with naturopaths or herbalists have a healthy lifestyle?: a secondary analysis of the Australian longitudinal study on women’s health

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies ◽

10.1186/s12906-020-03153-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amie Steel ◽

Stefania Tiveron ◽

Rebecca Reid ◽

Jon Wardle ◽

Holger Cramer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Drug Use ◽

Women’S Health ◽

Women's Health ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Dietary Behaviour ◽

Age Cohorts ◽

Australian Longitudinal Study

Abstract Background Australians report consulting with a naturopaths or herbalists to improve their wellbeing, yet little is known about the associations between these consultations and the patients’ health behaviours. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between health behaviour and consultations with naturopaths or herbalists in three age cohorts of Australian women. Methods Women aged 19–25 years, 31–36 years, and 62–67 years from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) were surveyed regarding smoking, alcohol or drug use, physical activity and dietary behaviour; and whether they consulted with naturopath/herbalists in the last 12 months. Associations were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Results A total of 9151 (19–25 years), 8200 (31–36 years) and 11,344 (62–67 years) women were included in the analysis. Between 7.3 and 11.9% of women reported to have consulted with naturopaths/herbalists in the last 12 months. Women of all cohorts consulting with naturopath/herbalist were less likely to smoke (19-25 yrs.: Odds Ratio [OR] 0.61; 31–36 years: OR 0.58; 62–67 years: OR 0.29), more likely to report at least moderate levels of physical activity (19-25 yrs.: OR 1.41; 31–36 years: OR 1.34; 62–67 years: OR 1.34), and the use of vegetarian diets(19-25 yrs.: OR 1.40; 31–36 years: OR 1.77; 62–67 years: OR 2.28), compared to women not consulting with naturopaths/herbalists. Women consulting with naturopaths/herbalists however were also more likely to have used marijuana (19-25 yrs.: OR 1.18; 31–36 years: OR 1.42), or illicit drugs in the last 12 months (19-25 yrs.: OR 1.24; 31–36 years: OR 1.40). Conclusions Consultations with a naturopath or herbalist are associated with positive health behaviours that are protective of internationally important non-communicable diseases. Psychoactive drug use is also reported among women visiting a naturopath or herbalist. Further research is needed to understand the role naturopaths play in advising patients with regards to health and non-healthy behaviours.

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